AS & A Level Information Technology 9626 · Topic 14

Communications technology: past paper questions

206 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Describe, Explain, Discuss, Evaluate, Compare

Real questions on communications technology

The newest 20 of 206 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9626/32 · October/November 2025 · Q9a[3]
Describe how the IP address is automatically assigned to the NIC.
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9626/32 · October/November 2025 · Q9b[4]
Describe how the IP address is used when exchanging data with other devices.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q1[4]
Cellular networks provide mobile communication systems. Describe the structure of a cellular network.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[3]
Describe how message switching transfers data between devices.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[4]
Explain why message switching is used to transfer data.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q6[8]
A supermarket uses Wi-Fi instead of copper cables in its stores to connect sales terminals into its network. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using Wi-Fi for the connections.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q10a[4]
Describe how BitTorrent is used to transfer large files.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(i)[3]
Explain why network administrators may decide to restrict the use of BitTorrent.
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9626/33 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(ii)[1]
Describe one way that a company employee may still be able to use BitTorrent despite the restrictions put in place by network administrators.
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9626/11 · May/June 2025 · Q3[4]
Describe four ways a firewall increases security of personal data. Way Way Way Way
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9626/12 · May/June 2025 · Q10[6]
A person uses a dialogue interface to control multiple devices in their home. Evaluate the use of a dialogue interface in this context.
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9626/13 · May/June 2025 · Q9[5]
Describe how a microprocessor-controlled car park barrier system makes use of an induction loop.
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9626/31 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[4]
Describe the purpose of the MAC address.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[3]
Describe what is meant by network topology.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[3]
Describe what is meant by network architecture.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q3[6]
The role of a wireless access point (WAP) is to enable wireless devices to make a secure connection to a wired network. Describe how a WAP carries out this role.
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9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q5[8]
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of mobile networks.
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9626/33 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[2]
Telnet
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9626/33 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[3]
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)
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9626/33 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[3]
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
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What examiners said

Candidates often struggle with technical questions and this question fitted that generalisation. In some cases, candidates tried to explain why IPsec was used, which was not answering the question that had been set, whilst others tried to explain what it did, but in general terms. Fundamentally, the use of IPsec is to secure data as it is being transferred across a network. Where candidates starte...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9626/12 Q8 (Cambridge)

Network architecture refers to the design of the network and how nodes interact to e.g. share resources. Good answers would have referred to e.g., the lack of a central server, all peers being of equal status on the network and to each peer acting as both server and client. Many learners referred to the lack of centralisation but many also erroneously described uses of peer-to-peer networks.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9626/32 Q2(a) (Cambridge)

Good answers would have referred to benefits such as e.g., the lack of centralised monitoring and control, the reduced need for specialised technical knowledge and to the failure of one node not affecting the other nodes in the network. Drawbacks that could have been mentioned included e.g., the lack of a central backup so all nodes/peers are responsible for their own backup, the increased risk of...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9626/32 Q2(b) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise communications technology

In the syllabus

14.1 Networks

Types of networks, including: – local area network (LAN) – wide area network (WAN) – client-server – peer-to-peer – virtual private network (VPN) – mobile networks
Characteristics of each type of network, including: – topologies (physical and logical) – architecture – protocols
Uses of each type of network, including: – sharing and storage of resources – sharing of peripherals – exchange of data – BitTorrent for transferring large files – access to internet services – tunneling – access to telephony services – access to content delivery services such as those used, for example, for streaming videos and to download software
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of network

14.2 Components in a network

The role of components in a network, including: – network interface cards – wireless network interface cards – repeaters – hubs – switches – wireless access points – gateways – bridges – routers
The operations of networking components, including: – how each component carries out its role – how each component works with the others in a network

14.3 Network servers

Types of network servers, including: – file server – web server – mail server – applications server – print server – FTP server – proxy server – virtual server
The role of servers in a network, including: – the function of servers in a network
The operations of servers in a network, including: – the ‘request and response’ method of communication between servers and clients – within server farms
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of server for a given scenario

14.4 Cloud computing

Characteristics of cloud computing, including: – sharing computing resources
Uses of cloud computing, including: – by individuals and organisations
Advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing for individuals and organisations

14.5 Data transmission across networks

Speed of transmission, including: – how bandwidth is defined – how bit rates are defined – the bandwidths made available by different transmission media and different internet access technologies, for example, ethernet, fibre optic, wireless, mobile communications
Data streaming, including: – real time and on demand media streams – the impact of bit rate and bandwidth on the streaming of audio and video data
The properties, features and characteristics of different transmission methods, including: – fibre optic – copper cables (coaxial and twisted pair) – lasers
Typical applications of each method of data transmission across networks
The effect of the medium on the available bandwidth for: – data transmission – audio and video streaming services – ultra-high definition television systems
Advantages and disadvantages of each method of data transmission across networks

14.6 Network protocols

The definition of a protocol
Explain the term protocol, as used in networking, and why protocols are necessary
The purposes and uses of protocols in the preparation, addressing, sending and receiving of data across networks, including: – Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) – Internet Protocol (IP) – Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) – Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) and inverse address – Resolution Protocol (InARP) – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) – User Datagram Protocol (UDP) – Hypertext Transfer Protocols (HTTP and HTTPS) – File Transfer Protocol (FTP) – tunneling protocol, for example, L2TP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) – Post Office Protocols, for example, POP3 – Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) – Telnet – SSH – Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) – TLS/SSL
Methods of sending data over a network, including: – packet switching ○ the structure of packets, including what is contained in the packets ○ the modes of connection – how and why they are used, including:
connection mode, for example, frame relay, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
connectionless (datagram) mode, for example, ethernet, Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP) – circuit switching, including: ○ the use of communication channels in circuit switching – message switching, including: ○ the store of and forward method of sending messages across networks
The purpose and use of network addressing systems, including: – Media Access Control (MAC) addressing – IP addressing (IPv4 and IPv6)
Static and dynamic routing, including: – the selection of paths for network traffic and the use of routing tables – advantages and disadvantages of static and dynamic routing
Function of routing protocols, including: – interior gateway protocols – exterior gateway protocols – border gateway protocols
Use of protocol layering, including: – TCP/IP and Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model) – the function of each layer in the TCP/IP suite – the function of each layer in the OSI model – comparison of the schemes
Firewalls, including: – their use and configuration in controlling access to networks

14.7 Wireless technology

Methods of wireless transmission of data, including: – Wi-Fi – Bluetooth – infrared – microwave – radio – NFC (Near Field Communication)
The operation of wireless transmission methods, including: – methods of data transfer – wireless protocols – wireless power transfer
Uses of wireless transmission methods, including: – data exchange – mobile communications – the Internet of Things (IoT)
Security issues associated with wireless transmission, including: – methods of prevention – the use of wireless security protocols, for example, WEP, WPA and their variants
Advantages and disadvantages of wireless transmission methods

14.8 Mobile communication systems

Cellular networks, including: – structure of a cellular network – use of 3G, 4G and 5G systems for mobile communications
How satellite communication systems are used for transferring data, including: – how communications data is prepared, sent and received by satellite communication systems – global positioning systems (GPS) – global mapping systems – surveillance, telecommunications (for example, television and radio broadcasting, telephones) – ultra-high definition television systems

14.9 Network security

Network security threats, including: – brute force – denial of service (DoS) – botnets – malware – malicious actors (perpetrators) – Structured Query Language (SQL) injection – (poor) network policies
Impact of network security threats on individuals and organisations, including: – data destruction – manipulation and modification and theft by unauthorised users – identity theft
Methods of preventing network security issues, including: – use of barriers, locks, surveillance, alarm systems, security guards – how software methods can prevent unauthorised access, including: ○ biometric methods ○ anti-malware ○ anti-virus and anti-spyware software for protecting data, files and systems ○ encryption ○ access rights/permissions for protecting data and files – how firewalls can be configured to control access to networks
Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of network security for preventing networking security threats

14.10 Disaster recovery management

Identification of threats and risks, including: – types of disaster that cause data loss and business disruption, including: ○ natural disasters ○ equipment and power failures ○ cybercrime ○ malware ○ criminal activity ○ accidental disruptive events – risk analysis – perpetrator analysis – risk testing – quantifying the risk
Control of threats, including: – how to detect threats and prevent a disaster – how to restore after a disaster
Strategies to minimise risks, including: – use of protection for power supplies – use of password and access controls for data and file protection – protection of data and software from malware, unauthorised access – use of back-up strategies

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